STRUMMING / RHYTHM GUITAR

Once you know where the notes are that you want to play, you have to get them vibrating...

Most beginners decide to play with a flat pick, or plectrum. It's the easiest way to get a clear, loud sound out of guitar, especially on steel strings. Nylons aren't as suited to playing with a pick and prefer to be plucked by the fingers.

I have always been a finger style player and I never use a pick. I find them difficult to control, but only because I never use them. I tried for a while to use finger-picks, which slip on the ends of the fingers, but they also were uncomfortable for me.

The term "rhythm guitar" is often used. This describes a style of playing where you become half guitarist half percussionist. You can use you plectrum to either pick single notes or strum all six, or combinations of both. A common way of playing rhythm is to pick the root note of the chord and then strum the rest of the chord. Like this... [go to site for sound file & chord diagrams]

Continues here: http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/strum.html

The "Guitar for Beginners" site has been created by Kirk Lorange to make playing easier for everyone:
http://guitarforbeginners.com

*** also by Kirk:

PlaneTalk -- The Truly Totally Different Guitar Instruction Book continues to sell all over the globe. Israel, Malaysia, Chile, are some of the new countries I have sent to. The video is also getting great feedback. If you want to know the TRICK to keeping track of all things musical on the fretboard, drop in for a visit http://lorange.kirk.net and see how easy it is to order. With the Australian dollar valued at 50 cents US, this is a great time to get hold of your copy. You'll be getting it half price if you live in the USA.
http://kirklorange.com
http://lorange.kirk.net
http://guitarforbeginners.com
http://mp3.com/kirklorange